Determing An Illegitimate Ancestor’s Parents

Most genealogy researchers run across illegitimacy at some point in their research. Friends often ask me if it is possible to prove an illegitimate ancestor’s parents.

The answer: Sometimes.

Bastardy Bonds and Apprentice Bonds

Bastardy bonds and apprentice bonds (from the colonial era up through 1913) are useful in determining one or both parents of an illegitimate child. Bastardy bonds are against the mother so you need to know the mother’s name., The father is sometimes named in these bonds if the mother is willing to name him. Apprentice bonds are also helpful. If your ancestor was apprenticed as a child (and this could be done at a very young age) the bond often will list the parent’s child. For example, Dulaney Swinney was apprenticed to Atkin McLemore in Granville County, NC in 1756. Dulaney was noted to be the son of Moses Swinney. If the child’s named parent is the mother, then the child may have been born out or wedlock. Checking the bastardy bonds would be beneficial.

DNA

The use of DNA to further genealogical research will certainly help in determining your ancestral line. While DNA is not a paternity test and will not tell you who the father of your ancestor was, DNA can tell you what family surname you match, thus giving you new avenues of research. For more information on using DNA in genealogical research, I recommend CeCe Moore’s series DNA Testing for Genealogy – Getting Started.

Oral History

If the child born out-of-wedlock is acknowledged by the family, then oral history is likely accurate in naming the parent(s). In the case of Bruce Douglas below, Bruce was well-known in the Howard family and an accepted son of Allen Suggs Howard.

Just Plain Luck

Sometimes it just comes down to luck. Continuing with the example above, Bruce’s father was known, but his mother was not. A “new” Howard cousin came across my blog and found an earlier post I had written on Bruce Douglas. My “new” cousin sent me a copy of a letter written by Bruce Douglas journaling his own history as a child. Up to this point no one (at least on our side of the family) knew who his mother was. She has now been identified as Mary Dorcas Douglas who later married William Bradley. Without Bruce’s own words and my cousin’s generosity in sharing the letter, I doubt the I would have ever learned Bruce’s mother’s name.

Transcription of Bruce’s letter

“This is a letter history of the ______ Bruce Douglas by any one ever heard of him. He was born 1880 July 11 near BroadwayNC. My mother maried a man by the name of Bradley and left me with my Uncle and Aunt by the name of Roe Douglas and Aunt Bug Douglas. I dont remember ever seeing my mother. They my Uncle and Aunt brought me to Georgia in a covered wagon drawn by 2 mules. They went back to NC and I stayed on here. I am now 88 years old and have good health for my age. About 2 years ago I sold my Clynch County land 10150 acres for $1,300 000.00. I married Miss Lula Mizell of WoodbineGA in 1905. We had six children. The 1st boy died as an infant. I have 3 boys and 2 girls living. The youngest is 50 years old. My wife died December 26, 1959. I am in good health. I Hunt and fish. My mother lived and died near a place called Ridgeway SC. She died in 1924. I would have given any thing to of seen her. I never herd of her till after she had passed away. God Mary yes on September 2 – 1968 I placed on her grave tomb stone and slab. All so placed one on her husbands grave.”

Bruce looks amazingly like his half-siblings!

So, yes, it is possible to identify the parents of an illegitimate ancestor. It is not always easy, but it is possible.

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Welcome! I'm Lisa. I believe researching your genealogy does not have to be overwhelming. All you need is a solid plan, a genealogy toolbox and the knowledge to use those tools. Read More…

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“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

Kathleen L.

2016-09-05T15:10:44+00:00

Kathleen L.

“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

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I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts.
I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

Jim S.

2016-09-05T15:17:32+00:00

Jim S.

I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts. I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

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Thank You!

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

Michelle T.

2016-09-05T15:25:58+00:00

Michelle T.

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/thank-you/

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